Opening scene shows President Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, President of the Dominican Republic, presenting Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University, the Order of Juan Pablo Duarte. Dr. Butler is visiting Santa Domingo, as chairman of the U.S. Committee, appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to raise funds for the Christopher Columbus Memorial Lighthouse in which remains of Columbus will be interred. Scene shifts to interior of the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, where the crystal urn, that for the past year has contained remains of Columbus, is opened so Dr. Butler and his wife might see them. They both move forward as Archbishop Ricardo Pittini Piussi points out aspects of the relics.

A film titled 'Santo Domingo honors ashes of Columbus' shows ashes of Christopher Columbus being placed in a crystal casket amidst vivid ceremonies in Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic. A number of officials and other dignitaries are also present at the ceremonies.

Civil War in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. U.S. Marine Forces patrol the perimeter of the international zone in Santo Domingo. A helicopter of the U.S. Marine Corps brings in supplies. A team of the Organization of American States. Marines in the streets. A Marine takes aim and fire. A wounded on a stretcher. Men near the open boot of a car. Civilians in the streets.

Civil war in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Rebels in the streets protest and hold banners. Colonel Francisco Caamano Deno, the leader of the rebels, addresses them through a bullhorn. The Colonel in a room with his supporters. A camera man records. The Colonel comes out in the streets. A U.S. ship. Sacks of food lowered from the ship. U.S. Forces distribute food to the people of the Dominican Republic. The people queue up for food.

Ramfis Trujillo, son of the assassinated Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo, seated, and surrounded by dignitaries and the Press in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Among those with him is playboy, Porfirio Rubirosa, whom he assigns as an envoy to seek support from the United States. Reporters take notes and photographers click his pictures. Cathedral in San Cristobal, the scene of Trujillo's funeral. People cry as car with Rafael Trujillo's body passes by on street. Change of scene as next newsreel shows sweeping wide view of buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, and then scenes of a parade in Pretoria during holiday declared to mark its withdrawal from the British Commonwealth of Nations and establishment as an independent Republic. The parade includes Soldiers on horses. The new Coat of Arms of the South African Republic is shown. Former Governor General, now shifting to his role as the first President of South Africa, Charles Swart, addresses the public. Narrator indicates that Swart's comment include support for continued apartheid racial segregation in South Africa.

U.S. Marine Forces in action. The Marines on the streets of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. They get into the U.S. Marine Corps helicopters. The helicopters take off. U.S. Marine Forces in South Vietnam. The Marines patrol the area. A Vietnamese soldier. U.S. Marine trucks. A sign reads 'Da Nang'. Sacks of supplies. The Marines arrange equipment.